Technology holding you back
instead of moving you forward?
Technology
holding you back
instead of moving you forward?
Bring clarity to technical chaos.
Make confident decisions and scale
with a foundation that actually works.
Bring clarity to chaos.
Make confident decisions and scale with a foundation that actually works.
Book a Discovery Call
You're probably here if...
You're probably here if...
Your platform can't keep up with growth—or you're afraid to scale because you don't trust it
Your platform can't keep up with growth—or you're afraid to scale because you don't trust it
Technical decisions feel like black boxes, and you need someone who speaks both business and engineering
You're stuck between "rebuild everything" and "keep duct-taping"—and need a clear roadmap
Your team is underwater, morale is suffering, and you don't know how to fix it
You've outgrown your current technical leadership (or never had it)
Technical decisions feel like black boxes, and you need someone who speaks both business and engineering
You're stuck between "rebuild everything" and "keep duct-taping"—and need a clear roadmap
Your team is underwater, morale is suffering, and you don't know how to fix it
You've outgrown your current technical leadership (or never had it)
If any of this sounds familiar, let's talk.
If any of this sounds familiar, let's talk.
If any of this sounds familiar, let's talk.
How It Works
How It Works
Deep Discovery
Deep Discovery
No cookie-cutter playbooks. We dig into your business, your tech, and your team to understand what's actually broken—not what people think is broken.
Strategic Roadmap
Strategic Roadmap
Messy problems become clear priorities with concrete next steps. You'll know exactly what to do, why it matters, and what success looks like.
Facilitate Execution
Facilitate Execution
Either hands-on leadership (fractional CTO style) or bringing in specialized collaborators to get it done. You get momentum without long-term overhead.
Typical engagement: 3-6 months, with ongoing support as you scale.
Typical engagement: 3-6 months,
with ongoing support as you scale.
Who You're Working With
Who You're Working With
Big Light Studio is led by Smaranda Onutu—a technical leader with 15 years scaling platforms, modernizing systems, and building high-performing teams.
Big Light Studio is led by Smaranda Onutu—a technical leader with 15 years scaling platforms, modernizing systems, and building high-performing teams.
Track record
Track record
Director of Engineering at Union Street Media (3+ years)
Led 30 engineers through SaaS transformation, drove 50% platform revenue lift
Built data functions from scratch, modernized legacy architectures, managed cloud infrastructure at scale
Deep expertise in AWS, SaaS platforms, subscription models, and legacy modernization
Director of Engineering at Union Street Media
Led 30 engineers through SaaS transformation, 50% platform revenue lift
Built data functions from scratch, modernized legacy architectures, managed cloud infrastructure at scale
Deep expertise in AWS, SaaS platforms, subscription models, and legacy modernization
The difference
The difference
Fluent in both business and engineering. Can talk to your CEO about CAC payback, then dive into the codebase. Brings strategic clarity with tactical follow-through.
Fluent in both business and engineering. Can talk to your CEO about CAC payback, then dive into the codebase. Brings strategic clarity with tactical follow-through.
For specialized needs
For specialized needs
Data solutions, compliance, UX, product delivery, coaching—trusted collaborators join the engagement. You get the right expertise without long-term overhead.
Data solutions, compliance, UX, product delivery, coaching—trusted collaborators join the engagement. You get the right expertise without long-term overhead.
What others say
What others say
Reflections from collaborators.
Reflections from collaborators.
Cristian Terpea
Cristian Terpea
Head of Software Engineering, Leadership Coach
Head of Software Engineering, Leadership Coach
"Smaranda is that rare engineering leader who can redesign systems and cultures at the same time. I’ve seen her rise from engineer to architect and beyond, collaborating closely with C-level. Beyond just brainstorming ideas, she was putting them into practice, and coming up with results."
"Smaranda is that rare engineering leader who can redesign systems and cultures at the same time. I’ve seen her rise from engineer to architect and beyond, collaborating closely with C-level. Beyond just brainstorming ideas, she was putting them into practice, and coming up with results."
Oana O.
Oana O.
Former Manager
Former Manager
"Smaranda is highly adaptable and excelled in every role—from individual contributor to leader. She combines deep technical skills with authentic communication and leadership. Any team would be lucky to have her."
"Smaranda is highly adaptable and excelled in every role—from individual contributor to leader. She combines deep technical skills with authentic communication and leadership. Any team would be lucky to have her."
Adelina F.
Adelina F.
Senior Delivery Manager
Senior Delivery Manager
"Smaranda has strong technical knowledge and a focus on doing things right—fixing root causes, not quick fixes. As my manager and mentor, she protected the team while helping us develop. She's eager to learn and teach, and it was a pleasure to work with her."
"Smaranda has strong technical knowledge and a focus on doing things right—fixing root causes, not quick fixes. As my manager and mentor, she protected the team while helping us develop. She's eager to learn and teach, and it was a pleasure to work with her."
Let's Talk
Let's Talk
If you're wrestling with technical bottlenecks, platform decisions, or team challenges
and want someone who can bring clarity, build a roadmap, and help you execute
let's have a conversation.
If you're wrestling with technical bottlenecks, platform decisions,
or team challenges and want someone who can
bring clarity, build a roadmap, and help you execute
let's have a conversation.
If you're wrestling with technical bottlenecks, platform decisions, or team challenges and want someone who can bring clarity, build a roadmap, and help you execute let's have a conversation.
Next step: 30-minute discovery call to see if there's a fit.
Next step: 30-minute discovery call
to see if there's a fit.
Book a Discovery Call
Connect: LinkedIn | smara@biglight.studio
How does Big Light Studio select collaborators for my project?
Every project is different—and that’s what we love. We don’t pull from a bench; we bring together people we trust, admire, and genuinely enjoy working with. Depending on your goals, we’ll curate a small, intentional team of technologists, product thinkers, designers, or infrastructure specialists who are excited to solve the challenge with you. Each collaborator is handpicked not just for their expertise, but for how well they listen, think, and build in partnership.
How involved is Big Light Studio after we launch?
We don’t disappear when the confetti hits the floor. Once we’ve launched, we’re still here—for follow-up questions, future sprints, or just to think through what’s next. Some clients tap us for ongoing advisory or hands-on support, others bring us back when the next big thing starts to stir. Either way, we remain part of your extended braintrust—for as long as it’s useful.
What values guide your work with clients?
Curiosity is our compass, clarity is our toolkit, and courage is what gets us out of bed. We ask good questions, listen closely, and aren’t afraid to say, “Hmm, let’s rethink that.” We believe that great work starts with trust and grows through real collaboration. Add in a little warmth, a lot of thoughtfulness, and the occasional emoji in a project doc—and that’s pretty much us. We’re not here to just tick boxes. We’re here to build something that works, lasts, and feels good to use.
What kinds of companies do you typically work with?
We partner with early-stage startups, scaling product teams, and established platforms going through transformation. If you’re navigating complexity, launching something ambitious, or trying to untangle tech that’s holding you back—we’d love to talk.
Can I bring Big Light Studio in to support my existing team?
Yes! We love working alongside in-house teams—whether it’s offering fractional leadership, adding firepower for a key initiative, or helping shape the structure and rituals that make great teams thrive.
How does Big Light Studio select collaborators for my project?
Every project is different—and that’s what we love. We don’t pull from a bench; we bring together people we trust, admire, and genuinely enjoy working with. Depending on your goals, we’ll curate a small, intentional team of technologists, product thinkers, designers, or infrastructure specialists who are excited to solve the challenge with you. Each collaborator is handpicked not just for their expertise, but for how well they listen, think, and build in partnership.
How involved is Big Light Studio after we launch?
We don’t disappear when the confetti hits the floor. Once we’ve launched, we’re still here—for follow-up questions, future sprints, or just to think through what’s next. Some clients tap us for ongoing advisory or hands-on support, others bring us back when the next big thing starts to stir. Either way, we remain part of your extended braintrust—for as long as it’s useful.
What values guide your work with clients?
Curiosity is our compass, clarity is our toolkit, and courage is what gets us out of bed. We ask good questions, listen closely, and aren’t afraid to say, “Hmm, let’s rethink that.” We believe that great work starts with trust and grows through real collaboration. Add in a little warmth, a lot of thoughtfulness, and the occasional emoji in a project doc—and that’s pretty much us. We’re not here to just tick boxes. We’re here to build something that works, lasts, and feels good to use.
What kinds of companies do you typically work with?
We partner with early-stage startups, scaling product teams, and established platforms going through transformation. If you’re navigating complexity, launching something ambitious, or trying to untangle tech that’s holding you back—we’d love to talk.
Can I bring Big Light Studio in to support my existing team?
Yes! We love working alongside in-house teams—whether it’s offering fractional leadership, adding firepower for a key initiative, or helping shape the structure and rituals that make great teams thrive.